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Maralen 100 cards, 2 sideboard 1 {Maralen of the Mornsong} 1 {Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx} 1 {Thespian's Stage} 1 {Dark Depths} 32 {Swamp} 1 {Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth} 36 lands 1 {Erebos, God of the Dead} 1 {Paragon of Open Graves} 1 {Blood Artist} 1 {Vampire Nighthawk} 1 {Nightmare} 1 {Gray Merchant of Asphodel} 1 {Sangromancer} 1 {Visara the Dreadful} 1 {Vampire Hexmage} 1 {Soul of Innistrad} 1 {Rune-Scarred Demon} 1 {Soul of New Phyrexia} 1 {Midnight Banshee} 1 {Moor Fiend} 1 {Demonlord of Ashmouth} 1 {Chancellor of the Dross} 1 {Onyx Mage} 1 {Pontiff of Blight} 1 {Bloodgift Demon} 1 {Nefarox, Overlord of Grixis} 1 {Bog Wraith} 1 {Lim-Dûl the Necromancer} 1 {Geth, Lord of the Vault} 1 {Vengeful Pharaoh} 1 {Tenacious Dead} 1 {Smog Elemental} 1 {Ob Nixilis, Unshackled} 1 {Reaper from the Abyss} 1 {Dark Impostor} 1 {Herald of Leshrac} 1 {Scion of Darkness} 31 creatures 1 {Stab Wound} 1 {Dark Ritual} 1 {Elixir of Immortality} 1 {Drain Life} 1 {Read the Bones} 1 {Necromantic Thirst} 1 {Sudden Spoiling} 1 {Deathrender} 1 {Grim Harvest} 1 {Doom Blade} 1 {Grave Exchange} 1 {Disentomb} 1 {Exquisite Blood} 1 {Victimize} 1 {Necrobite} 1 {Reign of the Pit} 1 {Tragic Slip} 1 {Elbrus, the Binding Blade} 1 {Decree of Pain} 1 {Ring of Three Wishes} 1 {Sanguine Bond} 1 {Whip of Erebos} 1 {Midnight Recovery} 1 {Liliana of the Dark Realms} 1 {Tyrant's Choice} 1 {Sip of Hemlock} 1 {Terror} 1 {Batterskull} 1 {Undercity Plague} 1 {Leshrac's Rite} 1 {Consuming Vapors} 1 {Demonic Rising} 32 other spells Sideboard 1 {Phage the Untouchable} 1 {Phthisis} 2 sideboard cards

Just a first rough draft with some cards I like. Not sure on the playability or surviveability of it. Any suggestions on combos, singles, or a direction are welcome.

I seem to remember there being a lockdown combo for Maralen that you could do in mono black...

Is there a black or colorless card with an effect like {Stanglehold} that would cause a lockdown? Or am I just crazy in my sleep-deprived state?

Man this commander with {obnixis the unshackled} is just mean


Ohh and add {cabal coffers} and maybe {necropotence} cuz it gets around your commander not letting people draw cards

Quote from: Gorzo on September 04, 2014, 03:43:17 PM
I seem to remember there being a lockdown combo for Maralen that you could do in mono black...

Is there a black or colorless card with an effect like {Stanglehold} that would cause a lockdown? Or am I just crazy in my sleep-deprived state?

I believe you're right. Time to dig into a lengthy card search.

{Teferi's Puzzle Box}?

It locks because you control both triggers. Just stack them in your favor.  On your turn, you let Teferi trigger first, discard your hand and search for your best card.  On your opponents turn, let Maralen trigger first, they search for their best card, then they discard their hand. Pretty simple lock.

Quote from: Dudecore on September 04, 2014, 07:23:07 PM
{Teferi's Puzzle Box}?

It locks because you control both triggers. Just stack them in your favor.  On your turn, you let Teferi trigger first, discard your hand and search for your best card.  On your opponents turn, let Maralen trigger first, they search for their best card, then they discard their hand. Pretty simple lock.

I like that! Ty

Quote from: Dudecore on September 04, 2014, 07:23:07 PM
{Teferi's Puzzle Box}?

It locks because you control both triggers. Just stack them in your favor.  On your turn, you let Teferi trigger first, discard your hand and search for your best card.  On your opponents turn, let Maralen trigger first, they search for their best card, then they discard their hand. Pretty simple lock.

and that still lets {Ob Nixilis, Unshackled} to triger before they discard which is killer 13 damage a turn and they cant do anything AT ALL lol

Quote from: Dudecore on September 04, 2014, 07:23:07 PM
{Teferi's Puzzle Box}?

It locks because you control both triggers. Just stack them in your favor.  On your turn, you let Teferi trigger first, discard your hand and search for your best card.  On your opponents turn, let Maralen trigger first, they search for their best card, then they discard their hand. Pretty simple lock.

That's the one!

With {Malaren, of the Mornsong} out you get to tutor all your draws. You should have a game plan that wins you the game after that.

You can get {Ob Nixillis, Unshackled} out turn four if you tutor {Dark Ritual} and have him or do it the other way around.

{Teferi's Puzzle Box} could be part of whatever plan you have.

Don't forget {Ghost Quarters}. I've heard of people getting nailed off that.

{go for the throat} is better than {terror}, although i run both in my {geth, lord of the vault} deck. i would cut {sip of hemlock} you got much better options in black {dismember} is great. you can cast it for free basically with {jet medallion} by only paying life since you don't have to pay the colorless mana.

edit: if you add {teferi's puzzle box} you need {vedalken orrery} so you can cast any of your spells in response to having to lose your hand.

Quote from: particle on September 05, 2014, 01:05:50 AM
{go for the throat} is better than {terror}, although i run both in my {geth, lord of the vault} deck. i would cut {sip of hemlock} you got much better options in black {dismember} is great. you can cast it for free basically with {jet medallion} by only paying life since you don't have to pay the colorless mana.

edit: if you add {teferi's puzzle box} you need {vedalken orrery} so you can cast any of your spells in response to having to lose your hand.

{Vedalken Orrery} would also be great to flash in response to a search.

Quote from: LinkCelestrial on September 05, 2014, 11:58:11 AM

Quote from: particle on September 05, 2014, 01:05:50 AM
{go for the throat} is better than {terror}, although i run both in my {geth, lord of the vault} deck. i would cut {sip of hemlock} you got much better options in black {dismember} is great. you can cast it for free basically with {jet medallion} by only paying life since you don't have to pay the colorless mana.

edit: if you add {teferi's puzzle box} you need {vedalken orrery} so you can cast any of your spells in response to having to lose your hand.

{Vedalken Orrery} would also be great to flash in response to a search.

Throw in {The Rack} to go with {Teferi's Puzzle Box}